The Romance Runs Strong in This One

The Greatest Knight

Based on fact, this is the story of William Marshal, the greatest knight of the Middle Ages....

Could have been Greater.

By
Rachel
on
12-27-10

Shadow on the Crown

A Novel

By:
Patricia Bracewell

Narrated by:
Katie Firth

Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins

Unabridged

Overall

285

Performance

261

Story

260

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen....

The Year 1000--To Be Continued

By
S. Wells
on
02-18-13

Lady of the English

By:
Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrated by:
Patience Tomlinson

Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

100

Performance

92

Story

92

Two very different women are linked by destiny and the struggle for the English crown....

If you are into boring dialogue and steamy sex scenes buy this book

By
spoiled
on
11-07-15

Owen

Tudor Trilogy, Book 1

By:
Tony Riches

Narrated by:
Ian Fisher

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Unabridged

Overall

76

Performance

66

Story

66

England, 1422: Owen Tudor, a Welsh servant, waits in Windsor Castle to meet his new mistress, the beautiful and lonely Queen Catherine of Valois, widow of the warrior king, Henry V....

Love this stuff.

By
M. Ward
on
12-18-16

A Place Beyond Courage

By:
Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrated by:
Peter Wickham

Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins

Unabridged

Overall

102

Performance

75

Story

74

It is a time for ambitious men to prosper, and royal servant John FitzGilbert Marshal is one of them....

Intriguing

By
Compute
on
07-27-15

The Queen’s Vow

A Novel of Isabella of Castile

By:
C. W. Gortner

Narrated by:
Rosalyn Landor

Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins

Unabridged

Overall

171

Performance

150

Story

149

"No one believed I was destined for greatness.” So begins Isabella’s story, in this evocative, vividly imagined novel about one of history’s most famous and controversial queens....

The Queen's Vow

By
ToniAnn
on
09-24-12

The Wild Hunt

By:
Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrated by:
Charlotte Strevens

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Unabridged

Overall

43

Performance

37

Story

37

In the wild, windswept Welsh Marches, a noble young lord rides homewards, embittered, angry and in danger....

Wonderful book!

By
Linda S.
on
11-13-17

The Vatican Princess

A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia

By:
C. W. Gortner

Narrated by:
Julia Whelan

Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins

Unabridged

Overall

652

Performance

613

Story

612

Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized 15th-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty's ambitions....

Compelling story

By
Patricia
on
05-11-16

Wideacre

Wideacre, Book 1

By:
Philippa Gregory

Narrated by:
Emma Powell

Length: 26 hrs and 41 mins

Unabridged

Overall

85

Performance

78

Story

77

Philippa Gregory's first story in the best-selling Wideacre trilogy. A compelling tale of passion and intrigue set in the 18th century....

Refreshing

By
Ruth
on
11-11-17

Sisters of Treason

By:
Elizabeth Fremantle

Narrated by:
Teresa Gallagher,
Georgina Sutton,
Rachel Bavidge

Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins

Unabridged

Overall

197

Performance

173

Story

173

Early in Mary Tudor's turbulent reign, Lady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey are reeling after the brutal execution of their elder seventeen-year-old sister, Lady Jane Grey....

Thoroughly Enjoyed!

By
Carmen C
on
02-03-15

The Lady of the Rivers

By:
Philippa Gregory

Narrated by:
Bianca Amato

Length: 19 hrs and 12 mins

Unabridged

Overall

2,417

Performance

2,162

Story

2,160

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight....

Philippa back on track

By
Bonnie-Ann
on
11-26-11

Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen

The Story of Elizabeth of York

By:
Samantha Wilcoxson

Narrated by:
Rachael Beresford

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Unabridged

Overall

57

Performance

52

Story

52

She was the mother of Henry VIII and wife of Henry VII, but who was Elizabeth of York? Find out....

took all I had to finish

By
Timothy
on
10-18-17

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

A Novel

By:
C. W. Gortner

Narrated by:
Cassandra Campbell

Length: 16 hrs

Unabridged

Overall

494

Performance

416

Story

413

To some, she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others, she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy....

Great author and fabulous narration

By
MissSusie66
on
08-17-12

The Last Queen

A Novel of Juana La Loca

By:
C. W. Gortner

Narrated by:
Marguerite Gavin

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Unabridged

Overall

206

Performance

152

Story

154

One of history's most enigmatic women tells the haunting, passionate story of her tumultuous life....

This is a historical "Novel"

By
Bonnie
on
10-15-08

The Lost Tudor Princess

The Life of Lady Margaret Douglas

By:
Alison Weir

Narrated by:
Maggie Mash

Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins

Unabridged

Overall

148

Performance

133

Story

134

From New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir comes the first biography of Mary Douglas, the beautiful, cunning niece of Henry VIII of England....

Interesting piece of history; but, Dull & Tedious.

By
Kelly
on
03-08-16

The Girl in the Glass Tower

By:
Elizabeth Fremantle

Narrated by:
Emily Watson,
Rachael Stirling

Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins

Unabridged

Overall

64

Performance

61

Story

61

Fremantle's The Girl in the Glass Tower is a stunning historical thriller set in the chaos leading up to the death of Elizabeth I....

Extraordinary historical fiction

By
Benoibe
on
01-02-17

The King's Grace

By:
Anne Easter Smith

Narrated by:
Rosalyn Landor

Length: 24 hrs and 38 mins

Unabridged

Overall

135

Performance

104

Story

105

All that history knows of Grace Plantagenet is that she was an illegitimate daughter of Edward IV and one of two attendants aboard the funeral barge of his widowed queen....

Entertaining

By
Katherine
on
08-20-13

Publisher's Summary

It is the winter of 1154 and Eleanor, Queen of England, is biding her time. While her husband King Henry II battles for land across the channel, Eleanor fulfils her duty as acting ruler and bearer of royal children. But she wants to be more than this - if only Henry would let her.

Instead, Henry belittles and excludes her, falling for a young mistress and leaving Eleanor side-lined and angry. And as her sons become young men, frustrated at Henry's hoarding of power, Eleanor is forced into a rebellion of devastating consequences. She knows how much Henry needs her, but does Henry know himself?

Overflowing with scandal, politics, sex, triumphs, and tragedies, The Winter Crown is the much-awaited new novel in this trilogy and a rich, compelling story in its own right.

Story

This series is more romance novel than history.

Unfortunately this book feels more like a romance novel than good historical fiction. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a strong, heroic woman of the middle ages. She was twice queen consort. She was the mother of multiple kings. She was prisoner, thinker, leader. She suffered many devastating losses. She was superbly intriguing and is a perfect example of what it means to be a feminist. But in this series she often comes off as whiny and simpering. She is dependent rather than leader. I am surprised by all the five star reviews. I have read many better historical fiction novels, and several about Eleanor. Average at best.

Ms Scarfe doesnt help rescue the book either. Her interpretation enhances the bodice ripper aspects of the book. I listened to all three rather than returning them, but I would not waste your credits if you are hoping for a deeper analysis of the history and of Eleanor herself.

Ack qwi tane

What a tale!

That this has true historical facts woven throughout adds a dimension to this read that strikes my heart like only the best books I have read. I am not a fan of royal novels but this series is a huge exception in my reading tastes. I identify most with Isabelle with the soft heart but I am also sure that faced with the trials Eleanor faced I would react much the same. She was indeed a worthy predecessor of women's strength and will. Highly recommended!!

Loved it!

I am a sucker for historical fiction but I am very picky about the narration as well as the quality of writing. Elizabeth Chadwick did a fantastic job of bringing life to the characters and describing and pulling me into the challenges strong opinionated women faced in the twelfth century. I would recommend this to any lover of historical fiction, especially fans of Phillipa Gregory.

Loved it.

Easily transported into the lives of the people involved in the story. I was unable to turn it off. Bring on the next one!

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Performance

Story

Jennifer Berry

10-16-15

What about the rest

I'm hoping that there will be another book detailing the queens detainment and her sons battles with the king, the Kings eventual death in France and the rise of Richard, the lionheart. Eleanor was a formidable woman the wife of two kings and the mother to two kings of england

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Overall

Performance

Story

Dr Ann-Maree Nobelius

12-09-17

Depressing

Touted as a story of the most powerful woman in history its a story of relentless verbal and ultimately physical abuse. I found it increasingly hard to listen to her powerlessness and abuse...completely depressing.The narrators lack of capacity to protray any nuance in voice made the young men sound stupid, all older men angry at all tomes and other women sound stupid. Not in enjoyable experience

Overall

Performance

Story

Nadia

04-28-17

Brilliant conclusion

Would you listen to The Winter Crown again? Why?

It'sa fantastic trilogy

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elinor, because she was a remarkable woman in a society that didn't make it easy for women to distinguish themselves.

Which character – as performed by Katie Scarfe – was your favourite?

Elinor.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, it made me cry.

Any additional comments?

The final book in a stunning trilogy. This series was amazing from beginning to end. Elizabeth Chadwick is a fantastic story-teller.

Overall

Performance

Story

Beady

12-28-16

Inner Resilience

Well written and Elizabeth makes each scene cone to life, from the throbbing headache to the weather it is as if you the reader are there with the court, or on the ride and even in the rumbling cart carrying her into her imprisonment. Now I need to hear the next book in the life of this amazingly strong queen.

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Story

Susan Dunn

05-25-17

Excellent story

I really enjoyed this well written, beautifully expressed story. The characters live and breathe and emerge from the pages in captiveating form. An excellent reading.